Health Department official wins county support for transportation grant match

Amanda Loughbridge, a Health Department official, asked the Ottawa County Commission to sign a local match letter and presented a Title VI anti-discrimination plan for a transportation grant that would operate from July 2026 through July 2027. She told commissioners the county's pledge of $38,759.50 "is about 30% of the required match for the estimated $112,000.00 grant which pays for operating and administrative costs." The board voted to sign the Letter of Financial Support and Commitment, with Commissioner Duane Morris moving and Commissioner Scott Mortimer seconding; the motion passed 3-0.

Commissioner Carla Grund questioned how the pledge amount was calculated and asked for changes to wording in the Transit Public Participation Plan Outline. The commission agreed to change the wording on the Letter of Financial Support and Commitment from "quarterly" to distribution "throughout the year." The transportation grant is intended to cover operating and administrative costs; the Health Department and commission will proceed with the pledged local match if the grant is awarded.